After her mind was read, the spoiled brat became the darling of the whole group.

Chapter 211 The More I Heard, the Colder My Heart Became

[That's not really the reason. After all, he's my own son; how could he be so easily fooled?] The system sighed.

Xie Xing was still pondering when a pair of brocade shoes suddenly appeared before him.

Xie Xing looked up and saw Jun Lanjin standing in front of her.

When Song Qingyang saw Jun Lanjin walking towards them, he paused for a moment, released Xie Xing's wrist, and respectfully bowed to Jun Lanjin.

"Your Majesty."

Jun Lanjin hummed in agreement, then turned her gaze to Xie Xing, her peach blossom eyes curving into a smile: "Miss Xie, it's been a long time."

Xie Xing: ?

She was stunned for a moment.

Just now, Jun Lanjin pretended not to see her and looked at her with an icy gaze. But now he has completely changed his attitude.

"Your Majesty."

This was exactly what Xie Xing wanted. She immediately put on a bright smile and called out to Jun Lanjin, "What a coincidence, Your Highness is also at the Treasure Pavilion."

This is completely awkward small talk.

Xie Xing wanted to ask Jun Lanjin why he threw away all the things she had given him yesterday.

Jun Lanjin, however, had his own purpose. He opened his folding fan and waved it gently, saying, "Is it just Miss Xie today? Would you do me the honor of coming to my room for a meal?"

【I go? 】

Xie Xing was momentarily stunned.

[Wasn't today's topic about arresting traitors? Is this something I can hear about?]

Jun Lanjin's gaze fell on Xie Xing's empty table, and he smiled, "I suppose the two of you haven't started yet, why don't you start together?"

Who could resist Jun Lanjin?

Xie Xing, at least, couldn't refuse him.

Xie Xing wanted to nod, but Song Qingyang stopped him behind her.

Song Qingyang's expression was solemn. He lowered his eyes and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."

"But the Prince's room is full of high-ranking officials. Would it be inappropriate for Xing'er, a woman, to go there alone?"

Jun Lanjin asked calmly, "Is there something wrong?"

"The General Who Protects the Nation is fighting on the battlefield, and some time ago, Young General Xie Tongchen slaughtered the Southern Kingdom and won a great victory. As the daughter of the General Who Protects the Nation's family, why can't you join in?"

Song Qingyang: "..."

Your Highness, listen to yourself, is what you're saying reasonable?

Xie Xing is just a woman, what could she possibly have that would warrant the prince's attention?

Just as these words came to mind, Song Qingyang's eyes suddenly narrowed.

The Xie family had previously mentioned that Jun Lanjin could also hear Xie Xing's inner thoughts.

What Xie Xing just said in his mind was all about Prince Jin.

If Prince Jin held this banquet today not for the purpose of eating, but to find out the traitors and catch the collaborators, he did not expect that there was a traitorous mole among these officials.

Upon reflection, it is indeed not difficult to understand Prince Jin's actions.

Regarding the former princess—

Song Qingyang released Xie Xing's wrist and whispered, "Xing'er, let me go with you."

Xie Xing nodded.

She smiled and said to Jun Lanjin, "Thank you, Your Highness. I'll take my leave now."

"It's alright." Jun Lanjin folded his fan over his face, so you couldn't see his expression, only his handsome eyes that were filled with a smile.

Although his eyes were slightly curved, there was no genuine smile in the depths of his eyes.

Xie Xing wondered to himself, "What is he trying to tell me?"

Ever since they returned from the ship, Jun Lanjin's attitude towards her has been lukewarm.

Although we weren't particularly close before, she was still very approachable.

Even though she's smiling as she speaks, she seems more distant now.

The system doesn't know either.

Song Qingyang: "..."

Prince Jin is not someone to be trifled with, little sister, do you even realize that?

The two followed Prince Jin into the side room.

The officials in the side room were all taken aback when they saw Xie Xing and Song Qingyang.

"Your Highness... what does this mean?"

Even if the prince likes this woman very much, he can't bring her here, can he?

After all, we're here to discuss important matters today.

And what's the deal with this scholar?

Song Qingyang is currently enjoying great popularity, and many civil officials have their eyes on this scholar.

Song Qingyang is exceptionally talented in literature, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, he will be the top scholar after the imperial examination.

"Greetings, esteemed lords." Song Qingyang clasped his hands in a standard bow.

Seeing this, the other officials all turned their attention to Jun Lanjin.

“Your Highness, this is far too frivolous.” The slightly younger official in his official robes who had been standing next to Jun Lanjin stepped forward, frowning and looking at Jun Lanjin with disapproval.

Xie Xing focused his gaze on him.

[Is he the Princess's spy planted among Jun Lanjin's people?]

System: [It wasn't planted by that princess. This person was the top scholar in the imperial examination a few years ago, a man from a humble background who rose to prominence and secured an important position in the court.]

However, before he became the top scholar in the imperial examination, the old queen and the emperor of the Southern Kingdom behind him had already taken control of his family, waiting for the day they could dismantle the Chu Kingdom from within the court.

Xie Xing's expression was complicated: [Has the scheme really progressed to this point?]

[If the old queen didn't want her son to live, why didn't she just kill the villain?]

The system said: [This is the contradiction of human nature. Jun Lanjin is the son of the Chu Emperor, a young genius with extraordinary talent. He is also the son of the woman the Chu Emperor loves, so naturally he is pampered and constantly watched. How could he possibly give the old princess a chance to make a move?]

Xie Xing nodded.

That's true, but Xie Xing still had some questions.

The Chu Emperor is now the emperor. Since he likes the old queen, he should at least marry her into the palace as a concubine.

Xie Xing voiced this question.

The system, possessing a script, answered quite naturally: "It's not that simple. First of all, apart from the Emperor of Chu and the former Princess Consort, no one else knows Jun Lanjin's true identity."

Secondly, as the head of the four great families, if the Jun family were to fall out with the Chu Emperor over a woman, and subsequently defect to another state, it would be a major problem for the Chu Emperor.

makes sense.

Xie Xing nodded.

Song Qingyang: "..."

These things were terrifying even to Song Qingyang, let alone for the prince to hear them with his own ears.

He couldn't help but glance at Xie Xing.

If he didn't have to reveal that he could hear Xie Xing's thoughts, he probably would have covered Xie Xing's mouth and told her to stop talking.

A murderous intent flashed in Jun Lanjin's eyes. His gaze turned cold, and he felt a chill run down his spine.

Even though Jun Lanjin had already investigated some of what Xie Xing said, the more Xie Xing's words matched Jun Lanjin's findings, the more it proved that Xie Xing was absolutely right.

"Your Highness?" The official on the other side couldn't help but urge Jun Lanjin when he didn't speak for a long time.

Jun Lanjin snapped out of his daze, flicked his sleeves, and slowly sat down on it, saying calmly, "Why not?"

"Last time, I and Miss Xie discovered that the traitorous official was colluding with the envoy from the Southern Kingdom. How could she not listen to that?"